Japanese visitors still living in make-shift homes

Preparations are being made for a return visit from some of the Japanese students who were visiting the Hunter when their villages were flattened by last year's Tsunami.

Japan this week commemorates the first anniversary of the devastating magnitude nine quake and tsunami which killed tens of thousands of people.

Thirty students from Kesennuma were on an exchange visit at Hunter Christian School when their village was all but wiped out.

School principal Boyd Allen says all of the students are still living in make-shift accommodation, but it is hoped some can make a return visit.

"Obviously it's just not feasible for them to send over the normal visit," he said.

"The hope is that a smaller group of students will come over in part just to celebrate and remember the significant relationship that has been established over all the years but especially last year."

Mr Allen says he has found out through email exchanges that the students and their families are still waiting for permanent housing to be built.

"It's been encouraging what we've heard but it's still difficult for all the people in the area, not just the students," he said.

"All of the students were able to be reunited with their families, that was one of the undertakings that we were assured of when they returned home, but certainly our understanding is Kesennuma is still waiting to be rebuilt and they're still living in shared accommodation."

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